CSL’s Global Role in Battling COVID-19

Here is how CSL is working around the world with academia, industry and governments to combat the novel coronavirus COVID-19

07 May 2020

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CSL Behring is part of the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance, an unprecedented industry partnership to develop CoVIg-19, a potential plasma-derived therapy for treating COVID-19. The CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance will work toward developing the unbranded anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal hyperimmune immunoglobulin medicine with the potential to treat individuals with serious complications from COVID-19, and to support national governments in their efforts to fight the current pandemic. The collaboration will leverage leading-edge expertise and work that the companies already have underway. The Alliance is working with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the NIH to test the safety, tolerability and efficacy of the hyperimmune therapy in adult patients with COVID-19. This global study is anticipated to start in the summer.

CSL Behring Australia is developing an anti-SARS-CoV-2 plasma product for the Australian market with the potential to treat people with serious complications of COVID-19, particularly those whose illness is progressing towards the need for ventilation. The investigational product, to be known as COVID-19 Immunoglobulin, is under development at the company’s advanced manufacturing facility located in Broadmeadows, Victoria.

Collaborating with the University of Queensland in Australia, whom CSL has a long-standing relationship, to support the development of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The company is providing its vaccine development expertise, proprietary technologies and laboratory facilities to optimize the chances of success.

Donation of Seqirus’ well-established adjuvant technology – MF59® – to multiple entities searching for a COVID-19 vaccine. MF59® is used in the company’s adjuvanted seasonal flu vaccine for the over-65 age group -- one of the most vulnerable populations to COVID-19. Adjuvants can help improve immune response and reduce the amount of antigen needed for each vaccine, enabling more doses to be manufactured more rapidly. In parallel, Seqirus remains focused on the production of seasonal influenza vaccines for the upcoming season, the importance of which is very much underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Partnering with SAB Biotherapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, to advance and deliver a novel immunotherapy targeting COVID-19. The potential therapy would be produced without the need for blood plasma donations from recovered COVID-19 patients. Clinical trials could begin this summer in North America.

Engaging with investigators regarding the company’s monoclonal antibodies, including CSL312 and CSL324, to identify treatment candidates from the portfolio that have the potential to treat Diffuse Alveolar Damage – one of the devastating respiratory consequences of COVID-19. These are considered much more experimental approaches, but still potentially very important therapies for people who have suffered the potentially devastating impact of COVID-19.

Additionally, from the time the coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, China – where CSL Behring has a manufacturing facility – the company has been assisting in the fight against COVID-19 in a number of ways including offering expertise, technologies, equipment and materials on a humanitarian basis.

About CSL
CSL (ASX:CSL) is a leading global biotechnology company with a dynamic portfolio of life-saving medicines, including those that treat haemophilia and immune deficiencies, as well as vaccines to prevent seasonal and pandemic influenza. Since our start in 1916, we have been driven by our promise to save lives using the latest technologies. Today, CSL — including our two businesses, CSL Behring and Seqirus - provides life-saving products to more than 70 countries and employs more than 26,000 people. Our unique combination of commercial strength, R&D focus and operational excellence enables us to identify, develop and deliver innovations so our patients and communities can live life to the fullest. For more information about CSL Limited, visit www.csl.com